1 week ago
Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Temporarily End Strike After Court Intervention
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh stopped some work because they wanted higher stipends and other changes.
They also opposed a plan to raise the retirement age.
The doctors said they temporarily ended the strike so patients could continue receiving care.
The High Court told them to return to work immediately.
The court said doctors can protest, but they should not stop important medical services.
The government was given two weeks to discuss and resolve the doctors’ reasonable demands.
The doctors want at least a 15% stipend increase.
The government said it had offered a 10% increase for house surgeons and a 3% increase for postgraduate and super-speciality residents.
The doctors said they may use legal or other options if no agreement is reached.
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh temporarily called off their strike on Tuesday to protect patient care.
The High Court directed them to resume duties immediately and continue healthcare services.
The state government was given two weeks, until September 7, to address their reasonable demands.
The doctors seek a 15% stipend increase, after reducing their earlier demand from 30%; the government offered 10% for house surgeons and 3% for postgraduate and super-speciality residents.
Their demands also include benefits from January 1, 2026, compliance with National Medical Commission recruitment rules, and opposition to raising the retirement age to 65.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association, junior doctors, the Andhra Pradesh government, the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and petitioner Guduri Venkata Ratna Kumar.
- What
- Junior doctors temporarily called off their strike after the High Court ordered them to resume duties and directed the government to address their demands.
- Where
- Government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- The strike was called off on Tuesday; the association said the government must respond within two weeks, by September 7. The planned full withdrawal from services had been set for August 17.
- Why
- The doctors were seeking higher stipends and other policy changes, while the court intervened because the strike was disrupting patient services and, according to the petitioner, emergency care.
Junior Doctors’ Position
Court and Government Position
Stipend increase
Junior Doctors’ Position
The doctors sought a minimum 15% stipend increase, saying repeated representations had produced verbal assurances but no written response. They said they were ready for negotiations and had reduced their earlier demand from 30%.
Court and Government Position
The government said it had offered a 10% increase for house surgeons and a 3% increase for postgraduate and super-speciality resident doctors, while examining benefits available in other states.
Strike action
Junior Doctors’ Position
The association said the lack of written assurances or a government order led it to begin phased strike action after discussions failed to produce a favourable solution.
Court and Government Position
The High Court said doctors could express their demands but that abstaining from work was unacceptable when it affected patients and could put their lives at risk.
Next steps
Junior Doctors’ Position
The association said only the strike had been suspended and that it would pursue justice through alternative measures, including possible legal action if no amicable solution was reached.
Court and Government Position
The court directed the doctors to resume duty immediately and advised them to use forms of protest that do not disrupt healthcare services; the government was given two weeks for resolution.
Key facts
- Strike status
- The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association temporarily called off the strike while continuing its pursuit through alternative courses of action.
- Court direction
- The High Court ordered the doctors to report for duty immediately and continue patient services.
- Government deadline
- The state government was directed to resolve the doctors’ reasonable demands within two weeks, by September 7.
- Stipend demand
- The association reduced its earlier 30% demand and sought a minimum 15% stipend increase.
- Government offer
- The government said it had offered a 10% increase for house surgeons and a 3% increase for postgraduate and super-speciality resident doctors.
- Additional demands
- The doctors sought benefits from January 1, 2026, compliance with National Medical Commission recruitment rules, and opposition to raising the retirement age to 65.
- Strike phases
- The phased action included black badges, partial withdrawal of outpatient and non-emergency services, and a proposed complete withdrawal including emergency and intensive-care services.
Quotes
Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA)
Association representing junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh
“The Divisional Bench of High Court of Andhra Pradesh instructed APJUDA to call off strike and continue patient services and further directed the state government to resolve the issue within two weeks”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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